VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis held an audience with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan at the Vatican Palace to maintain warm relations and to discuss peace and stability in the middle East, the Vatican said 

 The pontiff and Abd Allah II shared cordial discussions on Thursday morning, with appreciation expressed for the good bilateral relations that exist. Reference was also made to the need to continue to develop  interreligious and ecumenical dialogue, always ensuring that the Catholic Church in Jordan may freely exercise its mission.

 Finally, the importance of promoting stability and peace in the Middle East was highlighted, with particular reference to the Palestinian question and the issue of refugees, while the need to preserve and encourage the Christian presence in the region was also reiterated. In this regard, the need to continue to preserve the status quo in the Holy Places in Jerusalem, a meeting place and symbol of peaceful coexistence, where mutual respect and dialogue are cultivated, was emphasised.

 King Abdullah II later met with the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations.

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